As a Parish, if you own or operate a business, you should review your continuity plans and think about ways you can mitigate risks associated with COVID-19.

For more information, visit Managing COVID-19 in workplaces.

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Traffic light advice | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

The COVID-19 traffic light system is no longer in use.

Queensland Health is now monitoring COVID-19 as part of its broader surveillance of acute respiratory illnesses, like influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

This change is in response to:

• evidence pointing to a decline in COVID-19 waves, and

• the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration that the illness is no longer a public health emergency.

You will still have access to informed and timely COVID-19 resources on this website to help you take health measures appropriate to your individual needs.

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As soon as you become aware that someone with COVID-19 has attended your workplace, you should perform a routine clean with standard household cleaning products. A deep clean is not necessary.

You may need to close temporarily to do so, but most businesses will only need to close for a short time.

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Reintroduction of the common cup at the eucharist is permitted from 1 am, Thursday 14 April 2022.

Reintroduction of the common cup is a decision to be made at the parish level.

The following risk mitigation strategies should be employed when reintroducing the common cup:

• Communicants and liturgical assistants using sanitizer before and after communion.

• Wiping the rim of the chalice inside and out with a clean part of the purificator between each communicant (preferably with a linen cloth).

• Proper cleansing of linens (purificators, corporals) and vessels (flagons, cruets, chalices, ciboria, patens lavabos etc.) before and after Holy Communion;

• Physical distancing while participating in Holy Communion.

• Those ministering the chalice to wear good quality masks to reduce their risk of infection.

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There are no restrictions for serving food and drink at church gatherings and other events.

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Churches can foster good personal and hand hygiene by:

• keeping hand hygiene facilities (clean running water, soap, and paper towels / air dryers) properly stocked and in good working order.

• placing hand sanitiser in visible locations to encourage hand hygiene.

• asking parishioners to be mindful of good personal and hand hygiene.

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Parishes should employ the following baseline risk mitigation strategies/control measurers:

• Advise parishioners/volunteers/workers to:

  • stay at home when sick

  • get tested if COVID-19 symptoms present

  • maintain physical distancing (1.5m), where possible and practical

  • wash hands often using soap and water or hand sanitiser

  • sneeze or cough into their arm or a tissue (then put the tissue in the bin).

• Encourage COVID-19 vaccinations where eligible.

Parishes should consider applying additional risk mitigation strategies/control measurers to manage COVID-19 effectively depending on the local context, but proportionally where heightened risks necessitate it. These strategies/measurers may include:

• Rapid Antigen Testing for workers/volunteers

• P2/N95 standard mask wearing for vulnerable persons and/or in vulnerable settings.

• Any other local level strategies.

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A vaccinated person is far less likely to get seriously ill if they contract the virus, and they’re less likely to transmit COVID-19 to others.

This is particularly important for vulnerable people in the workplace, including those with underlying medical conditions or with unvaccinated family members.

Some businesses have already implemented vaccination mandates to protect their staff and customers. Fair Work Australia provides a range of guidance documents for employers seeking national advice on COVID-19 and Australian workplace laws.

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